Detachable aerial ladder



March 10, 1925.

H. J. HOPKINS DETACHABLE mum LADDER Filed Dec. 2;, 1922 s Sheets-Sheet If A TTORNEYS.

March 10. 1925.

H. J. HOPKINS DETACHABLI AIRIAL LADDIR mm ow. -21, 1922 a Sheets-Shut s in---iLu li I N VEN TOR. 11 1/5527 J. HOPKINS. M, M

7 ATTOR EYS.

Patented Mar. 10, 1925.

UNITED est-Ares PATENT AQFI'F'I'IQE.

HUBER! JiHOPKINS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

, DETAGHABLE AERIAL LADDER.

' Application filed December 213.1922. Serial- No. 608,177.

' quired.

Most ladders in use today by fire departments are objectionable forv several reasons first, it is necessary to removethe. ladder from'the truck before iteanbe raised and extended, and secondly, because it requires considerable time and from six'toeight men to raise the ladder, a fifty foot-dadder usually requiring six men and a sixty-five foot ladder eight men. The object of the present invention is to provide asupport on the rear end of a truck which permits the ladder to be raised by two men directly onthetruclr by means of a folding. lever, and then .permits swinging of the ladder on a pivot to face the building, and to accomplish this in a minimum of time.

The invention also, embodies a support which may be adjusted horizontally so;that when'the ladder is raised to face a building on a hilly street, it will assume a perpendicular position.

The invention further embodies means for securing the ladder when in a raised position and for detaching the ladder whenrequired.

Other objectswill hereinafter appear.

One form which my invention may assume is exemplifiedin the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation .of a=ladder truck showing the application of theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a rear end view of the ladder support.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the lower end of the ladder. I

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail; section taken on line 5-5, Fig; 4.

. Fig-.6 is an end view of thedadder truck showingthe ladder in raised position.

Fig. '11s a plan-view ofthe rear endsuptvFlg; 8 1s a ,side elevation ,ofthe rear end supportpartly an section.

Referr ng to the drawings in detail, and

particularly toFigs. 1, 7, and 8, A; indicates .in general a laddertruck, Bthe ladder, and the numerals 2, 3 ,and 4, a series of standar ds between which are journaled rollers,.-pro- VLClGCl for thepurpose of supportingqthe 1 ladder.-

The i-nvention in this instance consists in providing a rear end support for the ,lad-

der, which is generally indicated'atC. This .support 'is', pr0vided for the purpose 0i permitting rais ng :ofthe ladder directly; .onrthe truck, swinging of the laddento face the b- 1. 15; ft r i has been-raised, and also {to permit detachment of the ,ladder when-,re-

.quired. The rear end support, referringnto F1gs.i2, 7 andS, consists of a bearing memher 5, whlch ,is,pivotally mounted as at 6 in .an auxiliary .frame 1), which consists of interspaced channel bars I and 8.suitably-securedandzbracedbetween uprights generally indicated at,9. f .Snpportedbythe bearing member 5 is a superbearinglldin whichis ournaled a pairof rollerssections 11 and 12. The superbearing consists of a base section whichis turnably mounted withrela tron to the mainbearing 5, suchi mounting being-securedloy. providing a pivotli-S which extends dowlnwandly into the vertical bearing. 5; the superbearing :as a whole being secured against vertical movement or removal with relation to the bearing 5 by means of alocking 'collar :or. ,annulari :flange 14, which is secured to ,the superbearing by ,meansof screws .15. The base section 110 of .thesnperbearing projects upwardly andpis extended laterally .to form a tubular like bearing-,extension"l6. -A tubular shaft. ,17

extends thronghthis bearing and the roller sections 11.and':12 are secured athe-outer ends .of thetubular shaft '17 by means of a screw connection as indicated at,18. The

rollersections 11-and ,1 2 are also hollow and a cent-ral passage-19.1s 1n thls-manner formed through, which a rope 20 is passed. i Theaise br function of this rope, will .laterbe .de- ,scrlbed.

The main bearing 5, as previously stated, is pivotally supported between the channel bars 7 and 8, as at 6, and for the purpose of securing the bearing against pivotal movement, or in other words to adjust the bearing with relation to the pivotal support, a screw rod 21 is employed. This rod is carried in a bushing 22, which is pivotally supported at 23 in the lower end of the bearing. The rod 21 is freely turnable in this bushing and it is locked against endwise movement therein by means of a crank handle 24 and a collar 25. The other end of the rod is threaded as shown, see Figs. 7 and 8, and passes through a nut 26, which is pivotally supported as at 27 between a pair of hangers 28 secured to the channel bars 7 and 8. The handle on the crank arm 24, which is indicated at 29, is pivotally secured to the outer end of. the crank arm as indicated at 30 and it may, therefore, be swung to assume the position shown in Fig. 8, or it may be turned downwardly to align with the crank arm. This is important as it will prevent accidental breakage of the handle and it will also permit it to be swung to a position where it will clear the ladder when certain positions are assumed. V

The roller sections indicated at 11 and 12 are rubber covered and their function is that of supporting the rear end of the ladder. The'ladder-proper is provided with an auxiliary lever arrangement, which is perhaps best illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6. This lever is employed when raising the ladder and it is constructed as follows:

It consists of a pair of uprights generally indicated at 33, one disposed on each side of the ladder, apair' of rearwardly extending rods similarly disposed, and a pair of forwardly extending rods 35 which serve the function of securing the uprights when raised. The rods 35 are pivotally connected 'tothe upper ends of the uprights 33, as indicated at 36, and their lower or forward ends are similarly connected to the sides of the ladder as indicated at 37. The rear rods indicated at 34 are connected to the uprights 33 by means of chains 38 and they are otherwise connected by means of a cross rod 39. The uprights 33 and the rods 34 are pivotally mounted on stud shafts 40, which are secured in the ends of theladder as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, and these stud shafts also form journals for a pair of wheels 41, the function of which will later be described.

The uprights 33 are detachable with relation to the shafts 40, as indicated in Fig. 5, the detachable connection being formed for the purpose of folding the rods 33, 34 and 35, so as to lie parallel with the ladder when not in use. The detachable construction is obtained by forming an annular groove in the outer end of each shaft as indicated at 42. A spring actuated pin 43 in thelower end of each upright engages this groove when the uprights are slipped over the ends of the respective shafts and they may be released with relation to said grooves by pulling outwardly on the pins 43. Therefore if it is desired to fold the auxiliary lever arrangement, consisting of the rods specified, it is only necessary to pull outwardly on the pins 43 and to release the uprights with relation to their respective shafts. The rods 35 may then be folded to assume a horizontal position with relation to the ladder. The uprights 33 may also be swung to a horizontal position, and similarly the rods 34. When this position is assumed, the rods may be secured by a strap or other means not here shown. Again, if it is desired to use the auxiliary lever arrangement, for instance when raising the ladder, it is only necessary to release the strap or other securing means and to grasp the uprights 33; then to swing them to the position shown in Fig. 4 and engage them with relation to the shafts 40; the whole operation being accomplished in a minimum of time as this is the only connection required.

In actual operation if it is desired to raise the ladder on the truck, it is first necessary to release the rods 33, 34 and 35, and to swing them to the position shown in'Fig. 1, and then securing them in this position by slipping the uprights over the ends of the respective shafts, where they become automatically locked when the pins engage the annular grooves 42. grasp the cross bar 39 and pull downwardly thereon, and as the distance from the fulcrum point indicated at C to the outer end is considerable, the weight of two average men is sufficient to swing the ladder or raise it to the position shown in Fig. l. The men keep raising the ladder to a substantially perpendicular position, then swing the ladder to face the building as the whole auxiliary bearing 10 is pivotally mounted with relation to the main bearing 5 and when the ladder has so been swung, it is only necessary to drop it against the face of the building. If the ladder were being raised to the position shown in Fig. 1, it is obvione that it would drop endwise towards the ground, but such movement is prevented by employing the rope or cable indicated at 20. This rope passes through the roller sections 11' and 12 and the hollow shaft 17, and the free ends are passed through eyelets 50 and then secured to cleats 51 disposed on the respective sides of the ladder. This rope prevents endwise movementof the ladder and thus secures it while it is being raised and swung towards the face of the building." If it is desired to detach the ladder, it is only necessary to release the rope ends with relation to the cleats 51 and to pay out gradually on the rope until the ladder reaches the Two men will then ing the ground. The rope may then be entirely removed and "the ladder is free and detached with relation to the} truck "and as; such may be moved about or handled in the usual manner.

hen swinging the'ladder around on the truck, it will naturally assume the position shown in Figs. 4 and-6, and if it is desired to detach the ladder when this position is assumed, it is accomplished-by first releasrope referred to, and secondly by the ladder "to a "vertical position.

raismg 'lhe ladder when in the position shown in Figs. sand 6-is supported by-the heels indicat-ed at 52, but when raised to a complete vertical position, the =ladders weight is shifted from the heels to the wheels or rollers indicated at 41. When so supported it is comparatively easy-to shift the ladder from one position to another as the entire weight is supported by thesewheels, for instance it may be neces'sary to completely desired, it is dropped against the face of the building and the weight will again be transferred to the heels, thus securing the ladder against slippage or movement. If the ladder has been partly raised and-it is desired to securethe same in this position, it is possible toengage the lower rung of the ladder by means of a clevis 60, which has hooks formed on the outer ends'thereof as indicated *at- 61. This clevis is attached to a cable 62, which in turn is carriedby a drum 63. This drum is journaled in the lower end of the frame 9 andis'rota'ted by means of a worm gear drive 64 and a crank 63. T he clevis and the cable attached thereto may thus secure the ladder in any tilted position desired and it may also be "employed'for the purpose of assisting the men in raising the-ladder when heavy ladders are employed. ln'fact one man could handle the ladder by operating'the drum (Stand after attaching the clevisto the ladder.

Fromthe foregoing it can be seen that the ladder can be raised directly from the truck by means of the auxiliary levers, and also that it may be swung when raised about the pivot to face the building. If a hilly street is encountered the pivot may be adjusted to assume a vertical position by means of the screw rod 21 so that when the ladder is raised and faces the building, it will assume a perpendicular position. The ladder can be readily detached before or after it is raised by releasing the rope 20, and when so released it can be readily moved from one place or position to another as it may be entirely supported by the wheels 41, and when the desired position of the ladder is xof comparatively few "dodging of wires and other obstruct-ions which may be close tothe building.

function of preventing e'ndwise movement of the ladder while it is being raised.

The ladder may be raised and detached 'by'backing the truckagainst the curb, and it can also be detached whenthe truck stands in a'position parallel tothe curb. In either instance the ladder will reach the sidewalk and can then be detached and rolled into posit-ion. All of these'features are important as they permit quick raising and manoeuvring of the ladder with the use men. It also permits /Vliile certain features ofthe present invention are'more or less specifically illustrated, I wishit understood that various changes inform and proportion may be resorted-to within the'scope ofthe appended claims, similarly that the materials :and' tin ish of the several parts employed may be such as the experience and judgment ofthe manufacturer may dictate or various uses may demand. I

I lavi'ng thus described 'myinvention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patexit isl. In a device of the character described a truck, a ladder supported thereby, a rear end support -on the-truck-adjacent the lower end of the ladder, said support forming a fulcrum -point to raise the ladder on said truck, means permitting turning movement of the support and the'ladder, and means permitting horizontal adjustment of the support with relation to the truck.

2. In a device ofthe character described, a truck, a ladder on the truck, a substan' tially horizontally disposed roller support atone end of the truck and adapted to support the lower end of the ladder, said roller support permitting longitudinal movement of theladder on'the truck and alsoserving as a fulcrum to permit raising of the ladder on the-truck, means permitting horizontal tilting movement of the roller support, and

means permitting turning movement of the roller support about a vertical axis,

3. In a device of the character described, a truck, a ladder on the truck, a substantially horizontally disposed roller support at one end of the truck and adapted to support the lower end of the ladder, said roller support permitting longitudinal movement of the ladder on the truck and also serving as a fulcrum to permit raising of the ladder on the truck, means permitting horizontal tilting movement of the roller support, means permitting turning movement of the roller support about a vertical axis, and means to prevent endwise movement of the ladder while being raised on the rollerv support, said means also permitting lowering of the ladder with relation to the roller support when in a raised position.

4. In a device of the character described a truck, a ladder supported thereby, a rear end support on the truck to receive the lower end of the ladder, said rear end support comprising a main bearing pivotally mounted with relation to the truck and vertically disposed, an auxiliary bearing turnably mounted in the main bearing, and a roller supported by said auxiliary bearing and adapted to support the sides of'the ladder.

5. In a device of the character described a truck, a ladder supported thereby, a rear end support on the truck to receive the lower end of the ladder, said rear end support comprising a main bearing pivotally mounted with relation to the truck and vertically disposed, an auxiliary bearing turnably mounted in the main bearing, a roller supported by said auxiliary bearing and adapted to support the sides of the ladder, and means connected with the main bearing and adapted to tilt the same about its pivotal support.

6. In a device of the character described a truck, a ladder supported thereby, a rear end support on the truck to receive the lower end of the ladder,,said rear end support comprising a main bearing pivotally mounted with relation to the truck and vertically disposed, an auxiliary bearing turnably mounted in the main bearing, a roller supported by said auxiliary bearing and adapted to support the sides of the ladder, means connected with the main bearing and adapted to tilt the same about its pivotal support, said means comprising a sleeve pivotally mounted in the lower end of the main bearing, a screw rod turnably mounted in said sleeve and secured against endwise movement in the sleeve, a pivotally mounted nut engaging the screw rod, and means for imparting turning movement to the screw rod.

7. The combination with a ladder of the character described, of 2. raising lever attached thereto, said raisinglever comprising a pair of uprights attached to the lower end of the ladder, a cross bar connecting the upper ends of said uprights, a pair of angularly disposed rods pivotally attached to the upper ends of the rods and attached at their forward ends to the sides of the ladder, and a second pair of rods pivotally attached to the lower end of the ladder, said rods being connected at their outer ends by a cross rod and also being connected to the upper ends of the uprights by a flexible connection.

8. The combination with a ladder of the character described, of a raising lever attached thereto, said lever comprising a pair of rods pivotally attached to the lower end of the ladder, a cross rod connecting ,the outer ends of said rods, said cross rod and first named rods being fololable with relation to the ladder, and means for securing the first named rods in a position where they align with the sides of the ladder and form an extension thereof.

9. The combination with a ladder of the character described, of a raising lever therefor, said lever comprising a pair of rods pivotally attached to the lower end of the ladder, a cross rod connecting the outer ends of said rods, a pair of uprights attached to the lower end of the ladder, a chain connecting said uprights and the first named rods to secure said first named rods in a position in alignment with the sides of the ladder, a pair of brace rods secured to the sides of the ladder at one end and at their opposite ends to the upper ends of the uprights, and means permitting detachment of the uprights with relation to the sides of the ladder and folding of the several rods to lie parallel with the ladder.

10.- The combination with a ladder of the character described, of a pair of fixed heels formed on the lower end of the ladder, a pair of wheels journaled on the lower end of the ladder, and offset with relation to the heels, said heels adapted to support the ladder when in an angular position and the wheels adapted to support the ladder when in a vertical position.

HUBERT J. HOPKINS. 

